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Welcome to the weekly Rumor Look Back, where we look at the rumors from six months ago and see which played out as originally predicted. Let’s get right to it.
- WWE is building to a Shane McMahon vs. Daniel Bryan feud, even if Bryan never gets cleared. That would simply mean someone wrestling in Bryan’s place.
- It almost looked to be headed that way, but in the end, they put their differences aside realizing they were both wrong and worked together to banish Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens from SmackDown. (0/1)
- WWE is considering bringing back The Wyatt Family compound for a Bray Wyatt vs. Matt Hardy match.
- They had the Ultimate Deletion match. Many people liked it, though I wasn’t as into it as others. (Probably because I was already used to the craziness of the TNA version.) (1/1)
- There was some confusion but Rich Swann has been released from jail after he was arrested for battery and false imprisonment. He may not be released even if he’s cleared but this is likely the end of any push for him for a long time.
- He never wrestled for the WWE again. He wasn’t released but left mutually. He’s headed to Impact.
- CM Punk went to UFC 218 but the word is he didn’t set up his next fight and it may not be happening anytime soon.
- It just happened last Saturday, which is soon enough. He didn’t fare well, though it went to decision. Sounds like that’s his final UFC fight. (0/1)
- In addition to news that Ronda Rousey’s signing is imminent, some Dave Meltzer speculation about Asuka adding an armbar submission has led to a lot of talk there are plans for the two to face each other in WWE.
- We’ll have to wait and see. Though when Asuka lost to Charlotte at WrestleMania, rumor at that time was they were moving away from that idea.
- Previously reported talks between Neville and WWE stopped ‘abruptly’, per PW Insider. There had been discussions about him joining the SmackDown roster while WWE was in Europe last month.
- The dude is still riding the pine. Poor guy. Just let him go.
- According to Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE is trying to protect Sheamus due to his neck injury. He’s said to be taking fewer bumps on house shows, and working more multi-man matches.
- I wonder if his career is going to come to a close soon after the Bar’s run is over. (Not that it’ll be any time soon.)
- Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks’ proposed 10K seat show is expected to happen in either Chicago or the Los Angeles area.
- It’s at the Sears Centre outside Chicago. (1/1)
- Former WWE writer Tom Cassiello said on The Agenda Podcast there was a pitch to debut former Divas champ Kaitlyn as a member of The Wyatt Family, possibly Sister Abigail, when the group was called up from NXT in 2013.
- Sister Abigail still has never been a person. And she’s since been expelled due to Bray’s dip in the Lake of Reincarnation at the above mentioned Ultimate Deletion. I wonder if she’ll inhabit someone’s vessel eventually.
- The Observer is saying the plan is indeed for Brock Lesnar to defend the Universal title against both Braun Strowman and Kane at Royal Rumble.
- That’s how it went. It wasn’t that good. (1/1)
- That, of course, is so they can protect Strowman while ensuring Lesnar keeps the title. Kane will be there to eat the pin.
- Indeedy. (1/1)
- John Cena is expected to appear on Monday Night Raw on Christmas night.
- Company man right here. He appeared and had a match with Elias. (1/1)
- Chris Jericho helping Don Callis get his spot at Impact Wrestling has led to speculation he will show up there too but that’s not expected.
- Too vague with the speculation that wasn’t expected. He hasn’t showed up there, but he has booked them on his cruise.
- PW Insider is reporting Rockstar Spud will be starting with WWE next week.
- January 30 it happened. He debuted as DRAKE MAVERICK, the 205 Live GM after Enzo was released. (0/1)
- There’s talk that John Cena’s appearance on the Christmas episode of Raw could be to answer Roman Reigns’ Intercontinental title open challenge, per Wrestling Inc, giving us a No Mercy rematch.
- It was the Elias bit as mentioned above. He didn’t have an IC match on TV with Reigns. (0/1)
- Vince McMahon is “pulling out all the stops” on Mixed Match Challenge, says Pro Wrestling Sheet, as succeeding on Facebook would result in more bidders when their contract with NBC expires in 2019.
- This is rather subjective. I’d say “not really” but someone could argue the other way.
- Nia Jax and Enzo Amore will likely be paired to further their 205 Live angle, and real life married couples like Rusev and Lana, and Naomi and Jimmy Uso, could be teamed.
- It never made it that far since
rapperguy who says words with music in the background Real1 was released. (0/1) - Scott Dawson is still expected to be cleared this month, according to Pro Wrestling Sheet.
- The Revival were back within a week or so. (1/1)
- Jerry Lawler says it’s almost a lock he and Jim Ross will call some action during Raw’s 25th anniversary show on Jan. 22.
- They called the Manhattan Center part. They totally didn’t sleep during it too. (1/1)
- There may not be a single title change at Clash of Champions, though if one does change hands it’s likely to be the U.S. title.
- This kind of two rumors. There was a title change, so the first part is wrong. But the one that changed hands was the US title, with Dolph’s surprise win. (1/2)
- There’s more talk, this time courtesy of Jim Ross, that Hulk Hogan will be back in WWE by the end of 2018.
- I guess we have six months to find out. Hogan thinks it’s going to happen soon.
- It’s believed, per the Observer, that New Japan gave Kenny Omega the okay to do a blade job during the angle with Chris Jericho attacking him in-ring.
- Do they have an anti-blade policy? I guess there isn’t a lot of blood. Jericho bloodied Naito on his sneak attack on him prior to their Dominion match. Dude was gushing.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi is dealing with a knee injury but he’ll apparently be ready for the Tokyo Dome show next month.
- He wrestled at Wrestle Kingdom in a rather underwhelming match against Jay White.
- The Observer notes Ring of Honor is supposed to have a major announcement regarding women’s wrestling coming up soon.
- At Final Battle, they announced the Women of Honor title. Sumie Sakai won it at Supercard of Honor XII in New Orleans. (1/1)
- A Twitter user named Brad Shepard got a rumor started last night that Vince McMahon is bringing the XFL back and could announce it on Jan. 25, 2018.
- This ended up being shockingly accurate. Though soon after the announcement, we learned there will be another offseason football league that will debut a year before and has more of a business model. Good luck with that, Vince. (2/2)
- The same person is saying Goldberg will headline the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame.
- Also accurate. It was such a long ceremony, a lot of people, including some of the wrestlers, left by then. (1/1)
- Officials at Impact Wrestling were upset with Rockstar Spud for signing with WWE, per the Observer, apparently because the company spent a lot of money to get his visa issues resolved and then he quit and went to the competition.
- Understandable to be a bit miffed.
- The Observer notes the plan is for Lucha Underground to film its next season starting on Feb. 16, 2018.
- A week later on Feb. 23. (0/1)
This week: 11/19 - 58%
Overall: 2,199/3,997 - 55%
Have a great week, everyone!